MAYOR MAMDANI LAUNCHES OUTREACH TEAM TO HELP NEW YORKERS KEEP MEDICAID AS FEDERAL CUTS THREATEN COVERAGE

The following information was released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene:

What you should know

Health and Affordability Resource Team (HART) will help New Yorkers navigate federal changes that put up to 900,000 residents at risk of losing Medicaid coverage

Funded by a $3 million investment in the FY 2027 budget, HART will connect New Yorkers with health insurance enrollment, food assistance, relief from hospital bills and housing support

As the federal government moves to impose new barriers to health care and food assistance, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and the NYC Health Department today announced the launch of the Health and Affordability Resource Team (HART), a new outreach team that will help New Yorkers navigate sweeping federal changes to Medicaid and SNAP and connect them with the benefits and services they need.

Staffed by trained community health workers and supported by community-based organizations and volunteers, HART will help New Yorkers enroll in and maintain health coverage, access food assistance and cash benefits, secure housing support and obtain relief from hospital bills.

With new federal Medicaid work requirements set to take effect Jan. 1, 2027, as many as 900,000 New Yorkers could be at risk of losing their health coverage. HART will focus on reaching residents most likely to be affected by these changes, including New Yorkers who have already lost SNAP benefits because of expanded federal work requirements.

"Health care and nutritious food should not be a privilege. They are basic necessities," said Mayor Mamdani. "While the federal government cuts taxes for the ultrawealthy by gutting essential services like SNAP and Medicaid, our administration is bringing help directly into communities. HART will help New Yorkers navigate these changes, keep the benefits they rely on and get the support they need."

"Nutritious food and access to health care are essential to keeping New York City safe, healthy and affordable," said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Helen Arteaga. "Our administration is taking a whole-of-government approach to protecting New Yorkers from the consequences of federal cuts. Through HART, we will connect residents with the services they need and help ensure that no one loses access to critical support simply because navigating the system is too difficult."

"As the federal government makes massive cuts to health insurance coverage, New York City is stepping up to make essential services more accessible," said NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister F. Martin. "Health care, housing and financial stability are foundational to healthy communities. HART will bring trained community health workers into neighborhoods to connect New Yorkers with the resources they need to stay healthy."

"These federal changes are making it harder for low-income New Yorkers to keep their food and health care benefits," said DSS Commissioner Erin Dalton. "The data tells us who is at risk and outreach makes sure we reach them. That approach has helped hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers keep their SNAP benefits, and with the Health Department and HART, we're expanding this approach to help nearly a million at-risk New Yorkers keep their health insurance."

Bringing support directly into communities

Funded by a $3 million investment by Mayor Mamdani in Fiscal Year 2027, HART will help New Yorkers maintain health coverage and access other services that support their health and financial stability.

HART community health workers speak a total of 13 languages and bring a range of professional and personal backgrounds to the work. Many have firsthand experience navigating the same health care and food assistance programs they will now help other New Yorkers access.

Outreach workers completed extensive training on federal changes to Medicaid and SNAP, cultural competency, community engagement and relationship-building. Their training also covered coordination with public health organizations, changes in health insurance eligibility and enrollment, and approaches to supporting community mental health.

HART targets key neighborhoods whose residents at risk of losing Medicaid coverage when expanded federal work requirements take effect on January 1, 2027.

In addition to helping New Yorkers enroll in and maintain Medicaid coverage, HART will connect community members with housing assistance, eviction prevention resources, hospital bill relief, and financial assistance for everyday expenses.

Building on the Health Department's outreach

HART builds on the Health Department's ongoing efforts to help New Yorkers maintain health coverage and navigate federal policy changes by empowering providers, equipping community partners and connecting residents directly with assistance.

In addition to launching HART, the Mamdani administration has:

Reached more than 35,000 health care providers and 60,000 community and faith-based partners with guidance and resources to help New Yorkers navigate the federal changes.

Held more than 50 trainings and engagement sessions, including a monthly webinar series for community partners and health care providers. More than 300 participants attended the first session.

Hosted the first of a series of provider convenings, bringing together partners from across the health care system who will help New Yorkers navigate the coming changes

Begun hiring additional enrollment counselors to help New Yorkers obtain or maintain health insurance.

About federal work requirements

On March 1, the federal government expanded SNAP work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs). Thousands of New Yorkers who were previously exempt must now meet federal work requirements to maintain their benefits.

Beginning January 1, 2027, new federal Medicaid work requirements and additional documentation requirements could put as many as 900,000 New Yorkers at risk of losing their health coverage.

New Yorkers who have lost or are at risk of losing their health insurance can call 347-655-0124 to speak with a NYC Health Department enrollment counselor or visit nyc.gov/medicaidhelp.